DC United chief Kevin Payne urges fans to attend US Open Cup Final

DC United CEO and President Kevin Payne has urged fans to attend the final of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final.

DC United CEO and President Kevin Payne has urged fans to attend the final of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final.

In an open letter to fans posted on the clubâ€™s official website, Payne wrote:

â€˜Dear Washington, D.C. â€“

We win trophies.

Since our first season in 1996, D.C. United has won 12 major domestic and international trophies and is firmly established as the most successful organization in the history of U.S. professional soccer.

On September 2, at 7:30 p.m. at RFK Stadium, we will try to add a 13th title to the D.C. United trophy case when we defend our championship in the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a competition which began in 1914.

Our opponent, Seattle Sounders FC, is new to MLS. Theyâ€™re in the midst of a great inaugural season and have developed a large and passionate fan base. The Sounders, and its fans, have said that Washington, D.C. and its fans do not deserve to host the match at RFK. They insisted the match should be played in Seattle.

For 14 seasons, our fans have been the standard by which other fans in Major League Soccer are measured.

For 14 seasons, our fans have brought unmatched energy, enthusiasm and passion to RFK Stadium and Major League Soccer.

And now, after 14 trophy-filled seasons, it is time for our fans â€“ for all D.C. area sports fans â€“ to remind everyone who the best sports fans in the country are.

I know not all of you are D.C. United fans. Many of you arenâ€™t even soccer fans, but a challenge has been issued and we expect all sports fans in D.C. to meet it. Join us at RFK. Hear the songs of passion. Feel the stadium bounce. Stand up and cheer. Stand up for another championship. Stand up for D.C.